Springer, Hooks top Texas All-Stars

First-place Corpus Christi sweeps MVP, top pitcher awards

Astros prospect George Springer was named 2013 Texas League Most Valuable Player. (John Owen)

By John Parker / MiLB.com | August 27, 2013 2:21 PM

George Springer hasn't played in the Texas League for more than two months, but his shadow looms large over the circuit's 2013 season.

Springer, the Astros' No. 3 prospect, was named the Double-A circuit's Player of the Year on Tuesday. He hit .297 with 19 homers, 55 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 73 games for Corpus Christi before his promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City in late June.

Springer leads the Minor Leagues with 37 home runs overall and, having already stolen 43 bases, is trying to become just the fifth player in Minor League history to have a 40/40 season.

His Corpus Christi ballclub, first in the league with an 80-53 record, also led the way with five players named to the 2013 Texas League Postseason All-Star Team. Along with Springer, the Hooks are represented by catcher Max Stassi, third baseman Jonathan Meyer and right-handers Michael Foltynewicz and David Martinez.

Martinez, who joined Springer in Oklahoma City earlier this month, was named Pitcher of the Year. The 26-year-old hurler went 14-2 with a league-best 2.02 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 26 appearances (18 starts) for the Hooks. No one else in the Texas League has more than 10 wins.

First-half North champion Tulsa (Rockies) contributed three hitters and one pitcher, while playoff-bound San Antonio (Padres) had three pitchers and one hitter honored.

The league's top hitter (.350) and on-base performer (.452), Anthony Aliotti of Midland, was named the All-Star first baseman. The All-Star designated hitter is Frisco's Brett Nicholas, who leads the league with 89 RBIs.

San Antonio skipper Rich Dauer was named Manager of the Year. His club has both scored and allowed the fewest runs in the league en route to what is currently its second-best record, 3 1/2 games behind Corpus Christi. Hooks pitching coach Gary Ruby was honored as the Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year.

2013 Texas League Postseason All-Star Team

Position Players

NAME

POS

TEAM

MLB ORG

Max Stassi

C

Corpus Christi

HOU

Anthony Aliotti

1B

Midland

OAK

Taylor Lindsey

2B

Arkansas

LAA

Ruben Gotay

3B

Springfield

STL

Jonathan Meyer

3B

Corpus Christi

HOU

Cristhian Adames

SS

Tulsa

COL

Angelys Nina

UTIL

Tulsa

COL

Reymond Fuentes

OF

San Antonio

SD

Mike O'Neill

OF

Springfield

STL

Kyle Parker

OF

Tulsa

COL

George Springer*

OF

Corpus Christi

HOU

Brett Nicholas

DH

Frisco

TEX

Pitchers

NAME

POS

TEAM

MLB ORG

Christian Bergman

RHP

Tulsa

COL

Mike Foltynewicz

RHP

Corpus Christi

HOU

Carlos Hernandez

LHP

Midland

OAK

Brandon Hynick

RHP

Arkansas

LAA

Jeremy McBryde

RHP

San Antonio

SD

David Martinez**

RHP

Corpus Christi

HOU

Kevin Quackenbush

RHP

San Antonio

SD

Neil Ramirez

RHP

Frisco

TEX

Keyvius Sampson

RHP

San Antonio

SD

Field Staff

NAME

POS

TEAM

MLB ORG

Rich Dauer

Manager

San Antonio

SD

Gary Ruby***

Coach

Corpus Christi

HOU

* Player of the Year
** Pitcher of the Year
*** Mike Coolbaugh Texas League Coach of the Year

John Parker is an editor for MiLB.com.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.